The small town of Taos, New Mexico draws thousands of tourists each year to its art galleries, luxury hotels and world-class ski resort. Yet despite the upscale “southwest ambiance,” the most recent U.S. Census Bureau economic study reported that 19.9 percent of families in Taos County earn less than $15,000 annually—compared to 10.1 percent of families nationally.

Taos’ status as a travel destination also makes it the most expensive place to live in New Mexico, a state which ranked 47th in the nation for per-capita income in 2002. The high cost of living puts a huge burden on low-income families.

Area youth are paying the price. Currently, 30.5 percent of Taos youth live in poverty—nearly double the national figure of 16.2 percent. And while the violent death rate for teens has decreased nationally from 71 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 53 in 1999, in New Mexico the rate remains stubbornly high: 85 per 100,000.

Another symptom of how hard it can be to be young in Taos: a high rate of youth homelessness.

“The Holy Grail” of Helping

Dreamtree residents in their temporary home

In 1998, seven women, all of whom had worked extensively in social services, decided to create another option—a transitional living program known as the “DreamTree Project.”

“It may sound rather New Age,” says co-founder Kim Treiber, “In those first meetings we had campfires, made dinners, went to sweat lodges—and then we started writing out what we envisioned. It became this really thick document. We called it the ‘Holy Grail.’”

That so-called “Holy Grail” landed on the desk of former media magnate and philanthropist Tom Worrell, who had recently relocated to Taos to find himself besieged with requests for charitable donations. “He had so many manila envelopes that he just started tossing them,” says Treiber, “Ours stood out because it was wrapped in hand-made paper. He thought it was a present—so he opened it.”

What Worrel found within the document was the clearly stated goal to “provide youth with a compassionate, loving place to grow,” followed by a detailed outline of how that goal would be accomplished through a transitional living program, youth crisis shelter and wilderness therapy program. Soon after, Worrell offered the donation of a building through his Dharma Foundation.

During this same period, the fledgling organization received a $249,000 federal housing grant for program operating costs. “Once we had the grant and the building,” says Treiber, “people just started getting on board. All we needed then was cash to renovate.”

Finding Local Support
Following appeals to the town council, the Kiwanis Club and local churches, the founders approached local businesses—from a purely economic standpoint. “We said, ‘Look, we’ve got violence, we’ve got graffiti, we’ve got kids stealing from stores,’” recalls Treiber, “They must have thought, ‘If these women keep eight problem teens off the street, the money is well worth it.’”

Within months, the community rallied. “Everyone recognized the need,” says Treiber. In addition to contributions from foundations, businesses and private donors, the state Highway Department supplied a 13-passenger van—while a local youth-service program offered labor. Meanwhile, the founders kept up the momentum with radio ads, press releases, fundraisers and an early Open House. “The building was gutted,” says Treiber, “So we hung pictures on the walls of what we envisioned the place to look like.”

That vision struck a resonant cord in the art community. The desire to create not just a facility but a “home” inspired a cavalcade of donated materials and skilled labor—producing tile mosaics, faux-finished “marble” floors and a rock waterfall in the newly built “Round Room.” “You can feel it,” says Treiber, “It feels like home.”

Since opening its doors in 2000, DreamTree has provided that home to 62 teens and young adults, eight at a time. The four-bedroom facility accommodates four girls and four boys at a time, most between the ages of 17 and 19, though residents can be as old as 24. Young residents are asked to make a commitment to stay for at least 6 months, but they can stay longer. Treiber co-directs the program with co-founder Cami Hartman.

Good-Neighbor Policy
The swift two-year launch of the project did confront one unexpected hurdle. Neighborhood opposition to the DreamTree site prompted the Zoning Commission to issue a one-year conditional special-use permit—with renewal contingent upon neighborhood consensus.

Treiber cites the example of one long-time resident who had recently lost her husband. “She was understandably terrified,” says Treiber, “She heard that a bunch of crazy teenagers were moving in.”

The founders decided to pay a neighborly visit.“We washed her dishes, made her cookies and invited her to come see us,” recalls Treiber, “Then we spent a lot of time walking down the road and introducing ourselves.” The project founders also addressed neighbors’ concerns in other ways. They walled in the DreamTree property and banned horn-honking and “hanging out” in the parking lot.

After a year of peaceful co-existence, the commission granted an unconditional special-use permit. “We haven’t had a problem since,” says Treiber.

Joleen Montoya is a member of the DreamTree Project Board of Directors. “I think one of the reasons that DreamTree has been so successful is the special care taken in everything they do and with everyone they deal with,” says Montoya, “That extra effort goes a long way.”

A Structured Program
Such extra effort characterizes the program structure. Counselors provide intensive case management, individual and group counseling as well as group family therapy. Recognizing that childhood victims of abuse may become potential abusers in their adult lives, specialized “cycle of abuse therapy” encourages healing and self-awareness. In addition, counselors help residents in completing their education, securing employment and locating permanent housing. Teens participate in policy-making decisions via their own Youth Council.

Beyond the basics of managing home, meals, cars, health, money and employment, DreamTree Life Skills training focuses upon communication, anger management, sexuality, relationships and personal development. A mandatory “Fun” section offers weekly outings of skiing, hiking, and bowling. Teens are asked to complete the Life Skills Certificate Program in their first two months. “That way, even if they leave before their six-month commitment is up,” says Treiber, “they’ve gotten something that will help them out there.”

“No violence, no drugs, no alcohol and no sex” are fundamental DreamTree policies. Yet with the exception of violence—which is absolutely not tolerated -- counselors forgive occasional “slip-ups” if teens show a real intention to resolve problems. To earn highly-coveted freedoms, youth must keep at least a C average in school—or a good GED progress report. Finally, when teens leave the home, follow-up support visits augment a rigorous “After Care” program.

Treiber notes that youth have chosen to leave—or have been asked to leave—when they are unready or unwilling to fulfill program expectations. “We tell the kids,” says Treiber, “‘This is a totally volunteer program. If it works for you—great, let’s work together. But if it’s not the time for you to be here, there’s no judgment. You’re always welcome to come back.’”

And they do come back. Treiber reports that of the 62 participants including the eight in residence, 45 stay in contact and show up for “After Care” pizza parties. “So what we’re hearing,” says Treiber, “is that they’ve made that connection and that bond—and that this is a safe place for them.”

The View From Inside
Ben, a current resident who states that he was in jail before coming to the program, shares his experience.

“Everybody tries to help each other out here, you know? Tries to make this thing a little better. They put a lot of responsibilities on you and yet you have some freedom, too. That way—you know what I’m saying?—You can get ready for the real world when you get out there. And you get way more out of it than what you put into it.”

Ben looks forward to attending the University of New Mexico and plans to become a psychologist.

A Growth Spurt
In January, 2004, DreamTree was granted funding to build additional living quarters which will enable them to a house a total of 16 youth. The expansion comes as welcome news for an organization that receives over a hundred referrals annually and has maintained a waiting list since its inception. The anticipated completion of the four individual dwellings is early 2005.

Treiber and Hartman hope for future funding to establish a youth crisis shelter offering an emergency short-term haven for kids—a service proposed in their initial plan. Hartman’s Wilderness Therapy Program, open to residents and non-residents, is now well underway. Also initiated by DreamTree, the “Taos Youth Forum” invites area youth to share concerns, air differences and hammer out solutions. Once hosted in the DreamTree common room, the popularity of the forum soon demanded a larger venue.

Although DreamTree faces the ongoing challenges of funding, Treiber remains optimistic.

“We’re hoping that if we have a big enough impact and these kids get the opportunity, we’ll be looking at adults who contribute to the community—instead of draining its resources. We have an expectation of greatness because our kids are great.”

Resources:

The DreamTree Project

Focus Adolescent Services

National Resource Center for Youth Services

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Denise M. Spranger is a freelance writer based in Taos, NM.